Council updates bylaw to better deal with dangerous dogs

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer
Claresholm town council has approved an updated dog bylaw that will better deal with dangerous dogs in the community.
At its Jan. 25 meeting via video conference, council gave the final two readings to the bylaw.
On Jan. 11, council heard a presentation from Blair Bullock, the town’s director of corporate services, explaining that in order to strengthen the town’s ability to deal with aggressive or dangerous dogs, administration has been working on changes to the dog bylaw. Issues have arisen with dangerous dogs in the community, and these changes were necessary in the best interests of residents. With passage of this bylaw, there will be more avenues available to deal with aggressive or dangerous dogs.
Now, a new type of dog licence is required, called an aggressive or dangerous dog licence if the dog is determined to be aggressive or dangerous.
Proof of spaying or neutering is also required.
The word aggressive has ben added under the section constituting an offence for the owner, which may result in a notice, fine and, if necessary, result in the capture and impoundment of a dog.
The section on aggressive or dangerous dogs has also been updated.
Clauses have been added stating the owner of a dog alleged to be aggressive or dangerous shall be issued a fine and shall be charged under the Alberta Dangerous Dog Act; and the owner of an alleged aggressive or dangerous dog, shall surrender the dog to the animal control officer immediately and the dog shall be held pending the outcome of the investigation and/or a provincial court hearing.
The owner of an aggressive or dangerous dog shall obtain an aggressive or dangerous dog licence immediately after the dog is determined to be aggressive or dangerous. This shall be done on the first official business day following the dog being classified as such.
The owner of an aggressive or dangerous dog shall ensure the dog does not, without provocation chase a person; injure a person; bite a person; chase other domestic animals; injure other domestic animals; or bite other domestic animals.
The owner shall also ensure the dog does not damage or destroy public or private property.
When the dog is on the property of the owner, the dog is either confined indoors; or when the dog is outdoors it is in a locked pen or other structure, constructed to prevent the escape of the aggressive or dangerous dog and capable of preventing the entry of any person not in control of the dog. The locked pen or other structure shall not be within one metre of the property line or within five metres of a neighboring dwelling unit.
No person shall sell a dog that is found to be aggressive or dangerous; and an aggressive or dangerous dog order pursuant to this bylaw continues to apply if the dog is given or transferred to a new owner.
Unless the owner of a dog makes arrangements with the animal control officer for the further retention of the dog, an animal control officer may sell, transfer to a new owner or destroy all unclaimed dogs which have been in impoundment for seven days if the dog has a current licence or the owner can otherwise be identified, that is by tattoo); or 72 hours if the dog does not have a current license.
Notwithstanding this, an animal control officer may euthanize a dog after a shorter period of time, if humane purposes warrant.
When an animal control officer agrees with an owner to euthanize a dog, the owner shall pay to the town all costs related to such.
Any person violating any provisions of this bylaw where the dog has been deemed aggressive or dangerous in nature or any other persons responsible for such violations shall be liable to a penalty of: $300 for a first offence; $500 for a second offence; or $1,000 for a third and subsequent offences.